Srinagar joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network
New Delhi: Srinagar, the capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has become the latest Indian city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted, “Great news for Srinagar! Srinagar has been inscribed as the UNESCO Creative City of Art and Craft.”
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay added 49 cities to the existing network of 246 cities to recognize “their commitment to placing culture and creativity at the heart of their development and sharing knowledge and good practices.”
In a statement, he said “A new urban model needs to be developed in every city, with its architects, town planners, landscapers, and citizens. Thus, we are urging everyone to work with states to reinforce the international cooperation between cities which UNESCO wishes to promote.”
The network now comprises 295 cities from 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity – crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music – to advance sustainable urban development, the UNESCO website said.
The existing UCCN Indian cities include Chennai and Varanasi as the UNESCO cities of music, Jaipur as the city of crafts and folk arts, Mumbai as the city of films, and Hyderabad as the city of gastronomy.
The Indian National Council for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) had recommended Srinagar and Gwalior to include in the list.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Delighted that beautiful Srinagar joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) with a special mention for its craft and folk art. It is fitting recognition for the vibrant cultural ethos of Srinagar. Congratulations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
(Avya Mathur)
